Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Willoughbys | 2008 | Lois Lowry | Buy |
| 2 | The Willoughbys Return | 2020 | Lois Lowry | Buy |
Lois Lowry’s The Willoughbys (2008) is a darkly funny parody of classic children’s literature. The four Willoughby children, stuck with selfish and neglectful parents, hatch plans to become orphans so they can have the kind of adventures found in old-fashioned children’s books. Their parents, equally eager to be rid of the children, have schemes of their own. The book references dozens of classic novels and fairy tales while telling its own gleefully twisted story.
The Willoughbys Return (2020) brought the family back for a sequel, continuing the satirical tone. The first book was adapted as an animated Netflix film in 2020, introducing the Willoughbys to a new audience. Lowry wrote these books in a completely different register from The Giver, showing her range from serious dystopian fiction to absurdist comedy.